Screw-driver



(No Model.) 4 A. D. WALLEN.

} SCREW DRIVER. No, 294,828. Patented Mar. 11, 1884.

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PATENT EEi cE.

ALFRED n. WALLEN, 0E MENDHAM, NEW JEnsEv.

SCREW-DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 294,828, dated March 11, 1884.

Application filed March 31, 19.83.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED D. WALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mend ham, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Screw-Drivers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the operation of driving a screw, and relates to certain improvements in attachments adapted to grasp the screw and hold it preparatory to and during the process of driving said screw into the wood.

' The invention consists in the improved screw-driving device constructed and operat: ing substantially as hereinafter set forth, and finally embodied in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the several figures, Figure 1 is an elevation of my invention, partly in section.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, also partly sectionized, showing. the manner of holding a screw. Fig. 3 is a plan of the casing b and a cross-section of the driver a, and Fig. 4 is an elevation of the end of the driver (0, adapted to fit a brace. In carrying out the invention the driver a is made round, so as to revolve within the casing b,-and is broadened at the end which engages with the screw-head, so as to be more efficient, and also more especially to prevent the said casing b from slipping off the end of the driver. The broadened portion may have diverging straight sides as shown at a, Fig. 1, ormay be curved as dotted upon said figure at the same place, preferably the latter.

The screw-holding device is around the driver a, as shown, Figs. 1 and 2, in which the said driver moves freely, and consists of the following parts, all arranged substantially as set forth.

The casing b, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, having a round perforation arranged centrally to receive the rounded portion or shank of the driver and allow the same to work therein,

the springs and lever and grooved casin g, which latter is of one integral piece, is to give adequate strength to the device, and to keep the working parts into as little space as possible, so as not to interfere with the necessary mechanical operations or make the device 'cunr bersome. The levers d cl below the casing I) make a gradual curve as they come together, so that considerable space is left above the grasping-jaws g to allow the screw to be easily and conveniently inserted between said jaws. The grasping portion or jaws 9 got the levers (Z cZ-may be recessed, as shown, so as to hold the screw more firmly.

If it is necessary or desirable to use the device with an ordinary brace, the end of the driver which enters the handle may be constructed so as to be adapted to said brace, as shown in Fig. 4.

The manner of operating my invention is as follows: Press toward the driver that portion of the 1ever-arms extending above the casing at h. This will spread the jaws g g apart and allow the insertion of a screw, and the outward pressure of the springs f will force the j aw-s together, thus grasping the screw and holding it firmly in linewith the driver. Insert the end of the driver in the head of the screw, turn in the ordinary manner, and the screw'will be driven down between the jaws into the wood.

This invention may be used as an ordinary screwdriver, if desirable, by slipping the casing up on the driver, and the grasp of the jaws will hold it in place.

One of the advantages secured by my invention is, that it necessitates the use of but one hand, leaving the other free to use, as may be desirable or necessary.

I do not wish to be understood as claiming, broadly, a screw-driver provided with jaws for grasping the screw and holding the same in position, such devices being old; but

WVhat I claim is As an improved article of manufacture, the

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serew-drirer combining therein the driving] In testimony that I claim the foregoing I portion a, having the broadened portion a, have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of the annular casing I), formed of one piece of January, 1883. metal, and provided with the central opening 5 and peripheral grooves c, the springs f, se- ALFIRlC-l) .l). YY'ALLEX.

cured in said grooves, and bearing against the I levers, and said levershaving converging and I itnesses: recessed jaws, and adapted to allow the screw- 1 F. F. CAMPBELL, shank to be thrust into said recess, all sub- 0. DRAKE.

1o stantiall; as herein set forth and shown. 

